Locks
(121)

Despite being one of the most common components of access control, specifying the right electric strike can be deceptively complex. Understanding the particulars of each device can be overwhelming. In this note we describe which characteristics of...

One of the most misunderstood yet valuable pieces of electrified hardware is the maglock. Few locks are stronger, but myths and confusion surround their proper use. Many access control designers avoid using them altogether, but should they? In thi...

Access control hardware cannot defeat a gunmen; but it can slow them down and buy precious minutes for responders to arrive. Locking classroom doors is one way to do this, but traditional hardware presents life safety issues. In the past decade, a...

Is the venerable locksmith on the way out? First, big box retailers set up their own departments to duplicate keys. Now a vending machine does it all automatically without any human intervention. Is the concept poised to succeed? How does it impac...

This could be the biggest thing to hit access control in years. A Silicon Valley startup has developed a low cost 'smart' adapter for existing locks allowing users to remotely open and close their door from their smartphones. In just the first few...

How much would it take to bring a city to it's knees? How about $150? It sounds impossible, but that is exactly what has happened in NYC. A major security vulnerability has been exposed with a simple set of keys - a "fireman's key ring" - illegall...

A new maglock claims to be 'smarter' and more 'stylish' than the rest. Is it useful, or is it a complex gimmick? In this note, we examine this product, its features, and compare it to similar multi-function maglocks.
A Maglock with Options
The S...

One of the oldest companies in door security has announced a sweeping reorganization of their electronic access control brands. Is this move smart business, or does it signal the beginning of the end for Kaba's EAC lines? In this note, we look at ...

Wireless electricity? Door hardware is hardly known as 'high tech', but a new product from Assa Abloy needs no wires to transfer power between the frame and door. What are the limitations of the product? Is it useful or is it a gimmick? In this no...

Cabling and installation are the two biggest expenses in access control. With many locations difficult to wire, and multiple devices required at each door, adding access control to many areas is cost-prohibitive. Wireless access products aim to re...

Q: What type of product excites the door hardware industry? A: Next generation keychains!
Despite sounding like a joke, a product capturing buzz on the showfloor at the recent ALOA Locksmith show was the 'Keyport Slide', a mechanical case that st...

Nothing seems more tedious that adjusting door hardware, and adjusting concealed vertical rods is the biggest pain of them all. Every door access control provider is forced to work with these devices at some point and getting things put back toget...

Should you continue to use traditional centralized, panel-based access control or does it make sense to use IP readers? Let's overview the 2 key options:
Control panels: Traditional access control systems have used control panels, typically co...

Can the traditional access control market be disrupted by new entrants leveraging consumer technologies and mobile phones? One startup, Lockitron, is backed by a powerful Silicon Valley investment firm and gaining significant attention in the tech...

The incessant buzzing of electrified door hardware can drive people crazy. Is noisy door hardware the norm? In this note, we examine the causes of 'noisy' door hardware, examine the business case for buying 'quiet' hardware, and compare the cost o...

Cameras and access control panels are gateways for hackers. Locating these devices throughout a building gives attackers multiple points of entry, many without any form of physical or network security. However, physical connections to the network ...

The smart home automation segment has exploded. Now with Axis releasing a camera integrated with Z-Wave, the technology is taking on a new wrinkle in extending I/O features with a whole category of wireless sensors.
But is this a sign of things ...

Picking between electric strikes, magnetic locks, electronic bolts and locksets can be a complex decision. A number of factors determine what the best choice is, but picking the wrong type can land you in jail. The most appropriate method of secur...

A true PoE / network door strike would reduce costs and simplify installations considerably. Indeed, one access control vendor is marketing a PoE strike. However, what real benefits does this PoE strike deliver? Is it a true innovation or a market...

For the past few months, Honeywell has been heavily marketing their Tuxedo Touch, their lastest generation touchscreen keypads. This model features integration to Z-Wave devices, such as lights and thermostats, features which Honeywell claims may ...

In some applications ‘traditional’ panel/controller based Electronic Access Control are difficult to justify the total cost. After the costs of hardware, cabling, installation, and training are all tallied, it is not uncommon to spend upwards of $...

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